Scope and Contents

Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing an essay entitled 'Bards and Bardism of the Highlands'; some notes on archaeology in Barra [Barraigh], Vatersay [Bhatarsaigh] and Sandray [Sanndraigh]; Fenian songs and poems; songs and poems relating to the MacDonalds; and a story entitled 'Prince Charlie's Pipe' mostly collected from South Uist [Uibhist a Deas] and Benbecula [Beinn na Faoghla].

Scope and Contents

Notes on Sorcha an Orfhuilt stating that Duncan Macdonald, Snaoisval [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] said that she was the girl who went amongst the deer and that Mr Alexander Campbell, priest at Bornish [Bornais] said that she was also called 'Fionna nam Fiadh'. There are question marks besides the name 'Binneach nam Fiadh'.

Scope and Contents Song collected from Duncan Macdonald, aged 86 years, Snaoisval [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] beginning 'Dhuisg mo leanan[n] mi m chadal S mi ga[bha]il fadail an dhusga'. The song is composed of thirty-nine lines. The text has been scored through in ink and written transversely across the first folio is 'Transcribed 17th/12 1883 30 Royal Circus Edinburgh A[lexander] Carmichael'. The accompanying story tells how the song was composed by a young woman 'who became insane...

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Dhuisg Mo Leannan Mi' and accompanying story entitled 'Sorcha An Or-fhuilt A Chaidh Fiadhan Eir Na Feidh' or 'Clara of the Golden Hair That Went Wild With the Deer' collected from Duncan MacDonald, age 86, crofter, Snaisebhal, South Uist [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas]. The story tells of two young lovers on South Uist who are forbidden to marry. The young woman goes mad, runs away from home and is discovered living naked with deer on Ben More [Beinn Mhòr]. Despite many...

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Laoi Dhiairmaid' probably collected from Duncan MacDonald, [Donnachadh Mac an Tàillear], from Snaosveall [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist], which Duncan had heard from his father. The song is a conversation between Diarmaid and Grainne, in which Grainne tries to persuade Diarmaid not to go off to battle. Carmichael notes 'Reciter a smart little man sor[e]ly inflicted with rhumatism. Has a clear blue eye & an intelligent face'. Text has been scored through...

Scope and Contents

Song entitled 'Seathan Mac Ri Builbh' [Seathan Mac Rìgh Beirbh or John, Son of the King of Bergen] beginning 'Lorg an ogain seach an t-ath' collected from Duncan MacDonald [Donnachadh Mac an Tàillear] from Snaosveall [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]. Text has been scored through as if the text has been transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Story collected from Duncan MacDonald, Donnachadh Mac an Taillear [Donnachadh Mac an Tàillear], from Snaosveall [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist], which Duncan had heard from his father, who died over 40 years before [c.1829] aged about 80 years. The story is about a rescue by Cuchulainn.

Scope and Contents

Story entitled 'Bhrithinn Chaorainn' ['An Bhruidhean Chaorthuinn' or 'An Bruighean Caorthuin'] collected from Don[u]l Donull[ach] [Donald MacDonald] age 80, who had learned it from his father. In the story the Fenians are trapped by the Lochlannaich [Vikings] in a house until Fionn sings a Fenian charm which is heard by Diarmaid and Caoilte who come to rescue them. Text has been scored through as if to indicate it has been transcribed elsewhere.